There was no motive to fear Master.
Snow walked back to his room, eat his dinner and barely fell the medicine down his throat, all of those while being in a complete daze. His Master was a kind person. He didn't hate Snow, he didn't drove him away, he wanted him near even if it was by reading a book when the the man himself couldn't hear him.
And Snow wanted to be there with his Master even when he couldn't read a single word from the beautiful written books.
''How was it?'' Paul asked him when he returned and Snow, a little flustered just smiled. A new thing, quirky and weird but sincere. ''Thank Goddess.'' the elder said with a smile. Day by day his complexion was becoming brighter, wrinkles disappearing.
For a brief moment Snow wondered if it was because of him and his magic or if Paul was finally sleeping better with the extensive work the Manor maintenance give.
Snow wasn't sure when Master would call him again but for the first time since the term 'Master' become familiar to him, Snow feel warm calling for him.
~
That same night, a lithe figure walked the Manor halls. The lightness of his skin reflecting the moon from the outside and his vibrant purple eyes could be seen from the darkest corners of the Manor. With slow steps, he walked to the end of the corridor and entered a beautiful arranged room, the residents of it trembling at his new presence.
A small chuckle echoed in the room when the flutes levitated restlessly from their place.
''Easy.'' the beauty said amused before lifting the heavy and warm cloth off his back, settling it on a nearby chair. He didn't bother glancing around him, not when the only two people in the Manor where sleeping or nowhere near this place
With a smile on his lips and the most relaxed he had ever been, Snow begin dancing, the soft melody around him staying at a steady and beautiful pace. He put more accents on his legs, the way they arched and twisted under him, his ankles surprising him with the twist they made.
There was something clearly missing from his dance though.
A partner. The empty spot beside looking so inviting.
Twirling, keeping his hands at distance, Snow gasped when his magic spread just the slightest bit before he stopped, his hands in the air and his head empty.
The feeling of emptiness, of just dancing without needing to use his magic made Snow happy. With an easy mind and pleasantly aching body, he returned to his room that night.
If he was more vigilant he would have seen the blue eyed monster following him.
~
The days continued and Winter settled in the air, icy ground and waters to boot. Snow didn't spend more time outside, he was lucky if Paul allowed him to open the windows, too scared that his frail body will fall sick. His plans of dancing outside where moved for next Spring or early Summer if Paul had anything to say about it.
Snow spend his days waiting and in the days he wasn't waiting he was with his Master awkwardly 'reading' from any books the man give him. The books variated from short stories to heavy tomes that made him dizzy just by looking at the letters.
If he wasn't with Master or wasn't by his spot at the hallway windows watching the snow fall, he was dancing in any room he found himself into. There was one time where he catch himself twirling in the hallway making him magic act up.
so sensible Snow thought when he feel his magic bubbling under his skin. Himself and Paul where in the middle of lunch when he begin feeling the barely controlled itch.
did I dance too much last night? he pondered letting the new dessert, a raspberry roll that made him remember of the first sunny days he arrived here. He couldn't take a break from dancing, if he stopped now, his muscles will spasm restlessly and his magic would feel murky under his skin.
A long time ago his last Master punished him by not dancing, keeping him unmoved on a piece of wood for an entire week.
The memories made Snow shiver violently, pushing the roll away, a knot in his stomach.
''How is Master?'' Snow asked instead and Paul accustomed with his quiet voice, immediately looked up at him
''He suddenly craves apricots.'' the elder human before laughing when Snow looked at him terribly confused ''His health though it's much better. His skin is not as dry and pale since you arrived here and begin dancing....Master Aeron voice or hearing hadn't returned from my acknowledge but in time....in time Aeron will regain his voice with your help.''
Snow let Paul chatter wash away and even though he wanted to ask more about Master he didn't do it. No matter how much courage he gained since arriving here there was no way he would ever meddle with his Master personal life on that level.
Master appearance is healing but is the curse inside him breaking apart or it just stays dormant till I wouldn't be here anymore? Snow thought on his way to Master study. But if it was like this then how could he heal the curse from the inside and destroy it from the source?
Like every time, the door study was slightly open just enough for Snow to invite himself in. Master wasn't inside this time but the chair was moved and there was a new book for him ready. On the desk, beside the dozens papers was a bowl filled with apricots.
Like a good slave, Snow took his seat and opened the book just to stare long at the weird letters. This time they looked different. More like lines being draw then actual letters.
Not thinking too much about it, he took one of the apricots in the basket and begin waiting.